Sunday, July 06, 2014

We drove all the way to Oregon, my Dad's territory! He has the most beautiful view from his home on the Mountain. We got to stay the night at his place before we all headed to Whisper Canyon Ranch in Lake Selmac. It was so fun to see his handmade "bridal veil falls" in his backyard. The kids loved his view and shot golf ball off the mountain. ha!

We all put on our Johnson family reunion shirts and did some morning Yoga while

we enjoyed our view.

We spent the fourth of July going through the Redwoods of California

{super close to the Oregon coast} and then off to the Coast.

It was a perfect and beautiful day to be so adventurous with so many people. We were surprised that it wasn't crowded at all, perfect for us! Grandpa told us lots of information and trivia!

Kids had a blast climbing up the huge Redwood trees and of course doing handstands/headstands! The coast was gorgeous too, and the kids jumped in the ocean and swam for a bit. After the Redwoods we went to a delicious pizza place and then off to the Coast.

**** The Redwoods****

The Oregon coast...

***The Rogue River***

possibly my favorite day and adventure... Something i have always wanted my kids to do

with my Dad, before he got too tired and old. He knows this river so well, and i love that he took

us all down together to have such an awesome experience. Even Ivy went!
This was bucket list stuff for me!

We spent 5 weeks at the Burn Unit at the U of U, These people were AMAZING! I can't even

explain how wonderful and special they are to us. They made our stay there so wonderful and

they are still a very big part of our lives today.

After she was extubated she took a few days to recover from that, and then my girl was back, drinking, eating (week sorta), talking in her raspy voice. She was back!!

We had visitors come daily. She was so excited to open all of her presents that were waiting for her to open. She had her own special Christmas at the Hospital and Dad and the kids came up later that day to celebrate with her.

Her cousins came for the New year and stayed at a Hotel in Salt Lake and came to visit her daily.

We were More than excited to take her home on January 15th 2014.

Each of the kids had their own sleepover with Ivy and slept with me on the couch in her room.

ugh! {ha}

She loved every moment of those special sleepovers, they would color, help her with her physical therapy, watch movies, etc. The nurses were so amazing to us, and of course let my kids do ANYTHING and eat anything they wanted, just to help the sleepover more special.

I love these people SO much!

Witney made this beautiful painting and it lit up the whole room! We loved looking at it

along with all the balloons and flowers we kept receiving!

after a while, Ivy didn't like sleeping in her hospital bed, so she slept in mine. Love her!

***Chrismas Morning for Ivy ***

I will never forget her sweet face and excitement when she woke up and saw that Santa had found her at the Burn Unit! Still brings tears to my eyes.

She loved all her presents, and especially that Saige, her American girl doll now had a

wheelchair and crutches. Ha! A Christmas that we will always cherish with our sweet girl.